Chapters 16, 17 and 18

Ch. 16
1.  How do you take time to make your husband feel like he is a priority?

Ch. 17
2.  How do other godly couples enrich your marriage?

Ch. 18
3.  How is God the Father visible in your husband's fatherhood?

Personal Reflection-Examine your schedule and see if your own priorities are in order.

Action point-Pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance in whatever parenting challenges arise this week.

Chapter 16: Training Children for Tribulation

1.  Whose lives have you chosen to be involved with for the sake of Christ?

2.  How does our Catholic recognition of the efficacy of suffering on earth (offering it up) in light of eternity help put struggles into perspective (CCC 2015-2016)?

3.  When has your own trust in God been tested?  What helped you to cling to Him?

4.  Think of some times when you've had the urge to step into a situation that was difficult for your children and "fix" it for them.  What happened?  What are some ways you can train your children to cope with trouble in a godly, mature manner?

Action point-Pray and meditate upon Bl. Mother Teresa's version of the Paradoxical Commandments:

People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Be good anyway.

Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People need help, but may attack you if you try to help them.
Help them anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.

Chapter 16: The Eucharist and the Body of the Priest

1.  How can a healthy Catholic view of the body help our daughters (and ourselves) avoid the low self-esteem perpetuated by our body conscience media/society?  (page 256)

2.  Do you treat your body as a temple of God?  Does your face reflect this fact?  (page 259)

3.  What practical steps do you and your husband take to guard the love in your marriage?  (page 260)

4.  Have you instructed your child(ren) about purity?  What illustrations did you use?  Did you consider any of Sheen's points?  (page 261-266)

5.  How does your faith express itself in sacrifice?  (page 267)